Denver Nuggets (36-19) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (15-39)
Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trail Blazers 2/23/24 – The Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers are set for an intriguing showdown this Friday at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. With the Nuggets positioned strongly in the standings and the Trail Blazers struggling this season, this game draws significant attention, especially from those looking for expert premium picks. The Nuggets, holding a solid record, are eyeing to cement their position further, whereas the Trail Blazers, despite their disappointing performance, look to upset the odds.
The Denver Nuggets have had an outstanding season so far, evidenced by their 36-19 record. Led by skillful Nikola Jokic and their offense averaging 113.9 points per game while maintaining an outstanding field goal percentage of 48.9% is impressive. Their strength lies in balanced scoring and playmaking averaging 28.6 assists per game but there has been some inconsistency covering betting lines on the road.
Portland Trail Blazers (15-39 record) have endured a difficult season thus far. Their offense generates 107.9 points per game while 44% shooting from the field is cause for alarm. Yet Portland has shown resilience at times; their home-court performance against spread hinted at their ability to surprise.
Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trail Blazers 2/23/24 Game Info
| When: | Friday, February 23, 2024 at 10:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Moda Center at the Rose Quarter |
| TV: | ROOT Sports NW |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
Nikola Jokic (C) vs. Anfernee Simons (SG)
Nikola Jokic comes into this matchup averaging a team-high 26.1 points plus 12 rebounds and 8.9 assists per game. He is also posting impressive advanced stats including 3 offensive rebounds and 9.1 defensive rebounds per game. His weaknesses include below-average blocks at just 0.9 per game along with 2.9 turnovers.
Anfernee Simons leads the Trail Blazers, putting up 22.9 points to go along with 5.3 assists per contest. He contributes very little on the glass, however, with only 3.5 total rebounds. Simons also averages nearly as many turnovers (2.6) as steals (0.5) per game.
This clash features the Nuggets’ MVP candidate Jokic versus Portland’s go-to scoring threat in Simons. If Simons can limit his turnovers while attacking from the perimeter, he may be able to outpace Jokic’s scoring impact. But Jokic should dominate the glass and facilitate Denver’s offense better than the one-dimensional Simons. Overall, Jokic’s all-around supremacy gives him the edge over Simons in their positional matchup.
NBA Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
With betting odds TBD, insights into the game’s dynamics become crucial for making informed predictions. The Nuggets, given their superior record and on-court performance, are likely to be the favorites. However, the unpredictable nature of the NBA means that the Trail Blazers have a fighting chance, especially at home.
Denver Nuggets Betting Trends
The Nuggets have gone just 2-3 straight up and 1-4 against the spread over their last 5 contests. They are also a mediocre 10-18 against the number on the road this season. However, with only 1 of their last 5 games going OVER the total, Denver’s defense has kept scores in check recently. This could change on the road where 10 of the Nuggets’ 26 away games have gone OVER the total.
Portland Trail Blazers Betting Trends
It’s been bleak for Portland lately, with 5 straight losses and a 1-4 record over that span. However, they are a more respectable 14-14 versus the spread at home. The Blazers’ defense has also been porous, with 3 of their previous 5 matchups surpassing the total. That leaky defense doesn’t get much better in Portland, where 12 of their last 26 at Moda Center have gone OVER.
Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trail Blazers 2/23/24 Betting Picks
Considering the analysis and betting trends, the Nuggets are the safer bet, given their superior record and team dynamics. However, the Trail Blazers could leverage their home court advantage and offensive sparks for potential upsets. Daily NBA free insights suggest a cautious approach towards betting on the spread, given the Nuggets’ road ATS record and the Trail Blazers’ unpredictability.
Free Pick and Prediction: Denver Nuggets 115, Portland Trail Blazers 105.